Character Relationship Map: Simple Passion

Characters

• Hélène (played by Laetitia Dosch) — protagonist

  Hélène is a literature professor and divorced mother living in the Paris suburbs with her preteen son, Paul. She begins an intense affair with Alexandre and becomes increasingly obsessed when he remai...

• Alexandre (played by Sergei Polunin) — protagonist

  Alexandre is a younger, married Russian diplomat stationed at the Russian Embassy. He conducts a passionate but controlling affair with Hélène, seeing her mainly when convenient and telling her not to...

• Paul (played by Lou-Teymour Thion) — supporting

  Paul is Hélène's preteen son. He accompanies her uneasily on an impromptu trip to Florence and later suffers from her emotional neglect when her relationship with Alexandre consumes her attention. Hél...

• Anita (played by Caroline Ducey) — supporting

  Anita is Hélène's best friend and confidant. She doubts that Hélène's affair with the married Alexandre can succeed and suggests that Hélène may be in love with love itself. Anita also reprimands Hélè...

• Hélène's Ex (played by Grégoire Colin) — supporting

  Hélène's ex-husband appears when he stops by to collect Paul during the period when Hélène is depressed and neglecting her responsibilities. He harshly reminds her of her obligations as a mother, serv...

• Psychiatrist (played by Slimane Dazi) — supporting

  The Psychiatrist meets with Hélène during her period of emotional collapse after Alexandre returns to Moscow. In the session, Hélène admits that she flew to Moscow for a day and wandered along Tverska...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Psychiatrist → Hélène (Professional Therapist) — The Psychiatrist provides the setting in which Hélène reveals the extent of her obsession.

  During a session with her psychiatrist, Hélène confesses that she flew to Moscow and searched Tverskaya Street for Alexandre.

• Hélène's Ex → Hélène (Family Co-parent) — Their relationship is defined by shared parenting and disagreement over Hélène's conduct.

  He comes to collect Paul and harshly reminds Hélène of her maternal responsibilities.

• Hélène's Ex → Paul (Family Father) — Hélène's ex-husband shares responsibility for Paul.

  Hélène's ex-husband stops by to collect Paul and reminds Hélène of her responsibilities as a mother.

• Hélène → Alexandre (Romantic Lover) — Their affair is the central emotional relationship of the film.

  Hélène begins a passionate affair with Alexandre, and they repeatedly meet for afternoon trysts and sex.

• Hélène → Paul (Family Mother) — Hélène is Paul's mother, but her affair affects her parental responsibilities.

  Hélène lives with her preteen son Paul and later sends him to stay with a friend so she can be alone with Alexandre.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Hélène → Anita (Social Confidant) — Anita provides an intimate outside perspective on Hélène's choices.

  Anita is Hélène's best friend and confidant and discusses the future and emotional nature of Hélène's affair.

Story Analysis

A literature professor becomes consumed by an unequal affair and struggles to recover her sense of self after repeated separation.

Plot Progression

1. A Desire Takes Root — Hélène begins an affair with Alexandre after meeting him at a party in Porto. Their repeated encounters quickly become governed by Alexandre's rules, while Anita warns that the relationship is doomed.
2. Waiting for His Return — Alexandre's absences make Hélène increasingly anxious and dependent. A trip to Florence, renewed calls, arguments, and an unanswered declaration of love expose the unequal nature of the affair.
3. The Cost of Obsession — Hélène tries to resist Alexandre but is drawn back into contact. When he fails to meet her and returns to Moscow, she falls into depression and neglects Paul and her work.
4. A Return Without Promise — Hélène reveals the extent of her obsession to her Psychiatrist and later appears to regain control of her life. Alexandre's unexpected return reopens the affair, ending with a tearful separation at hi...